Daily Bible Reading Plans

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Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one’s mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Proverbs 4

The Book of Proverbs

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

CHAPTER 4

Pro 4:1-27. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness.

1, 2. (Compare Pro 1:8 ).to know--in order to know.doctrine--the matter of learning ( Pro 1:5 ), such as he had received ( Lam 3:1 ).

3. father's son--emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1Ch 22:729:1 ); an idea further expressed byonly beloved--or, "as an only son" ( Gen 22:2 ), though he had brothers (see on JF & B for 1Ch 3:5).

4. He taught--or directed me.retain--as well as receive.keep. . . and live--observe, that you may live ( Pro 7:2 ).

5. Get--as a possession not to be given up.neither decline--that is, from obeying my word.

6. Not only accept but love wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.

14. (Compare Psa 1:1 ). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.

16, 17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted ( Pro 6:4Psa 36:5 ). They live by flagrant vices ( Pro 1:13 ). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:1634:7 ).

18, 19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.

23. with all diligence--or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare Eze 38:7 ), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character ( Mat 12:3515:19 ).

24. a froward mouth--that is, a mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from that used ( Pro 2:153:32 ).perverse--or, "quarreling."lips--or, "words."

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